We're also looking for reports on tonight's TNA house show in Bethlehem, PA, tonight's WWE show in Portland, ME (C.M. Punk vs. John Cena for the WWE title, Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio in a cage match for the world title, Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Kane & Daniel Bryan for the tag titles and Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler) and CHIKARA King of Trios second day in Easton, PA at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.

- Tadarius Thomas vs. Silas Young in a Survival of the Fittest qualifier

- Jay Lethal vs. Homicide

- Michael Elgin & Roderick Strong vs. Irish Airborne***Plus Davey Richards returns and Matt Hardy will appear doing color commentary on a match that will likely lead to a feud.

BAMMA from Wembley Arena in London on Saturday airs at 4 p.m. today on AXS in the United States and The Fight Network in Canada. Remember that in most of Canada, The Fight Network is free for the month of September. Lineup has:

Antonio Cesaro defends the U.S. title against the winner of a Battle Royal (which takes place at 7:30 p.m. on You Tube)

Layla vs.. Kaitlyn for the Divas title

Raw will be Monday night in Bridgeport, CT.

Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

The new issue of the Observer covering the Jerry Lawler situation is up on the site right now. It's a detailed description of what happened, how it was handled, details on the surgery, recovery as well as a background on Lawler in and out of the ring. We look at him still wrestling and why, why he was lucky to have been where he was when suffering the heart attack and who are the heroes of this situation. We look at how Jerry Lawler got into pro wrestling, how he was first on television as a teenager and his rice to being the biggest wrestling star ever in the state of Tennessee. We look at the emergence of the Tennessee territory as a hotbed, and how Lawler was able to remain as the top babyface in Memphis while playing chicken heel on WWF television in the 90s.

We look at how the WWE handled everything, what Vince McMahon and HHH were doing, the role of Michael Cole, the role of the audience, the final segment on Raw, WWE heart monitoring, as well as some heart attack deaths that took place in the ring in the past.

We also have full coverage of TNA's No Surrender show, including where they go from here, build to Bound for Glory, what happened with the James Storm title chase, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results from the show.

We also have why the C.M. Punk/Paul Heyman relationship was developed on television, what name continues to surprise WWE officials in regard to popularity, Raw getting bad dates coming up, notes on this past week's Raw show, the 2013 PPV schedule, major DVD releases currently on the schedule for 2013, Heyman talks Brock Lesnar and UFC Half of Fame and notes on Lesnar after this year's WrestleMania.

We also update the Night of Champions show, the Linda McMahon senate race and latest controversies, and another WWE Appreciation night scheduled in a few weeks. We also have more on Tyler Reks quitting WWE, the show maturation process of those in WWE developmental, Chris Jericho talks return and Chyna talks why she wants one last appearance on Raw and why it's not likely to happen. She also details her departure from WWF.

We also have notes on how many people watch Raw as it's going on and how many watch it on tape delay viewing. We also have all the business notes from this past weekend as well as highlights from all of the weekend WWE house shows.

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

We also have a note on the changes in television, most notably the decline in television homes while the population increases in the U.S., why this is happening, and the most important television markets.

The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world. Everywhere from Wall Street to the major offices to television networks in the U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business.

You can also subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228.

We also have the latest update on the proposed WWE network. We look at the various models under consideration. We look at the original plan and why the timing of everything doomed it. We look at the pay model and what kind of numbers of subscribers they are going to need to make it work. We look at what kind of numbers are possible, and how to evaluate it considering how the PPV business would likely be cannibalized by running the network.

We also look at the UFC business after the cancellation of UFC 151, looking at where the 2012 business is going to wind up and how close they can come to beating last year's numbers. We look at the cards for the rest of the year, as well as the new problems with UFC 153.

We also have a look at the ratings of all the major shows and complete details on how every segment of Raw and Impact this past week did. We look at what segments gained and lost viewers

We also have results from all the major league arena events over the past week as well as a look at all the major television shows.

Also in this week's issue:

--Japan vs. Mexico tournament

--Notes on CMLL's biggest show of the year coming up

--Wrestlers unhappy about being ignored on big shows

--AAA's Heroes Inmortales lineup, company's next major show

--Notes on new signings

--All Japan creating a TV champion and early tournament notes

--Former WWE wrestler returns to All Japan

--Notes on the All-Asia tag team title tournament

--Early notes on NOAH jr. tag team tournament featuring ROH stars

--Notes on Paul London in Japan

--Kazushi Sakuraba's first match back in New Japan announced for the September PPV show

--Complete New Japan September PPV card

--Notes on the build for Okada vs. Tanahashi

--Two former WWE wrestlers forming a tag team to feud with Kojima & Tenzan in Japan

--Notes on the 20th anniversary show of the debut of Yuji Nagata

--Oldest IWGP champion

--Promotions not thinking long-term and only short-term and risking long-term careers of superstars

--Another well-known wrestler gets elected to political office

--Update on the National Wrestling Alliance

--Notes on the death of Richard Byrne

--Notes on the tour of Aruba with big crowds, including names like Jerry Lawler, Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash, Roddy Piper and Rhino

--Well known indie wrestler attempting to battle back from pain killer addiction

--British star Anaconda passes away

--Notes on ROH Death Before Dishonor PPV

--Notes from the ROH house show in Charlotte

--Update on TNA TV title

--Notes on Devon not being signed

--Notes on TNA new TV special

--Trivia note about the best matches on TNA shows

--Notes on the weekend TNA house shows

--Lots of new UFC matches

--A weekend where FX will be running live shows on Friday and Saturday night

--Jon Jones continues to talk

--Daniel Cormier says he wants Jon Jones

--Dana White talks a number of potential matchups

--Dana White talks more about the canceling of UFC 151

--White talks about instant replays

--Sara McMann's Strikeforce debut

--More on Rousey vs. Cyborg

--Michael Bisping one-liners

--UFC fighter arrested

--UFC's first show in Macau top bouts

--UFC fighter retires

--More on the future of MMA Uncensored

--Dave Bautista on his MMA debut and thoughts

--How the K-1 show did on iPPV

--Notes on the debut of the World Series of Fighting

--The MMA murder case that got national attention

--Another MMA fighter arrested on vehicular homicide charges

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Our most requested issues in our history are:

*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)

*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar)

*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)

*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever)

*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click)

*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 .

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods.

To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

Saturday's news update

--Bryan is doing a poll on Twitter (@bryanalvarez) asking people what site improvements they would like to see.

--Tammy Sytch was arraigned yesterday. At the hearing, Sytch's sister said that they were going to take her straight to a rehab facility in New Jersey.

--At the 9/22 Dutchess Stadium show that Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Vader and Matt Hardy are on, the main event has Dustin Runnels replacing Jerry Lawler, teaming with former New York Yankees pitcher Joe Ausanio against Luke Robinson & Romeo Roselli. (thanks to Phil Strum)

--In Australia, the original Raw feed aired. (thanks to Dan Lennard)

What are you most interested in this weekend?

WWE Night of Champions 48.6%

Ultimate Fighter premiere 15.0%

BAMMA 10.0%

ROH Death Before Dishonor 9.7%

Chavez vs. Martinez 6.6%

CMLL Anniversary show 6.0%

Pro Wrestling NOAH big show 2.5%

Alvarez vs. Lopez 1.6%

Which of these do you see as the hottest commodity right now?

UFC 43.3%

WWE 38.6%

Golden Boy 11.8%

Top Rank 6.3%

Poll on Impact

Excellent 13.9%

Good 50.4%

Average 20.4%

Fair 5.1%

Poor 10.2%

34.1% of those responding didn't see the show

--Notes from the WWE Classics on Demand channel

The Hall of Fame special is Sherri Martel with these matches:

Randy Savage vs. Jim Duggan 10/28/89 Madison Square Garden

Sherri Martel vs. Madusa Miceli 6/12/87 AWA

Sherri Martel vs. Moolah 8/25/82

Sherri Martel vs. Rockin Robin 2/6/88 Philadelphia

WCW on TBS 5/7/88

Raw 10/26/98

1992 Survivor Series

Saturday Night's Main Event 1/4/86

Saturday Night's Main Event 2/8/92

Raw 6/9/97

Tuesday Night Titans 7/26/85

WWE 2012 Hall of Fame ceremony

Macho Madness documentary

Randy Savage stuff

(thanks to Brian Hoops)

--There will be a Shine iPPV on 9/21 in Ybor City FL at The Orpheum, an all-women's show headlined by Jazz vs. Rain, Allysin Kay vs. Christina Von Eerie and Jessicka Havoc vs. Mia Yim. Daffney will be the event hostess.

--Today's wXw results from Oberhausen before 211 fans: Toby Blunt b Michael Isotov, Paul Tracey b Timothy Thatcher, Sasa Keel b Antunosh Jubeiljew, Marty Scurll b Jay Skillet, Emil Sitoci b Karsten Beck in a no DQ match, Matt Cross b Chris Rush, Bad Bones b Maxi Schneider, Big Van Walter & Robert Dreissker b Hot & Spicy, Axel Tischer b El Generico to retain wXw world title. Ticker is a newcomer who won the title last month in a four-way match where he never beat Generico. He also won the shot tournament. He has an MMA background and looks a little like Brock Lesnar and is said to be one of the better workers in Europe. (thanks to Tim Knopf)

--The Expendables was No. 2 at the Australian box office this weekend. It's No. 6 so far this weekend in the United States.

--TNA's Hernandez is now working as the head trainer at the River City Wrestling gym in San Antonio. Classes are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.